One of the earliest researchers of CBD as an intervention for anxiety is Zuardi. In 1982, Zuardi et al. published a paper examining the effects of cannabidiol on anxiety induced by THC. They also wanted to elucidate whether the attenuation of THC-induced anxiety by CBD resulted from an inhibition of THC or through a distinct anxiolytic mechanism.
While these drugs can be effective for many patients, some don’t respond favorably. Certain patients don’t see much improvement, or they can’t tolerate the side effects. Moreover, tranquilizers like Valium and Xanax can be highly addictive. Clearly, alternative treatments are warranted. Could cannabidiol (CBD), the most prominent non-intoxicating constituent in cannabis, provide a viable alternative for currently available anxiety medications? Quite possibly!
In addition to fighting inflammation in the body, CBD oil may reduce anxiety by directly affecting the brain. Studies have found that CBD actually lowers activity in the amygdala and increases prefrontal cortex activation, two parts of the brain involved in anxiety. There is also evidence that CBD is able to activate hippocampus neurogenesis, aka regenerate new neurons! This activates CB1 receptors, which has a positive balancing impact on GABA and glutamate levels, associated with reducing anxiety.
Although delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (known as THC) is the primary psychoactive ingredient, other known compounds with biologic activity are cannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabichromene, cannabigerol, tetrahydrocannabivarin and delta-8-THC. Cannabidiol (CBD) is thought to have significant pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory activity without the psychoactive effect of delta-9-THC. (2)
DISCLAIMER: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act require this notice.

As we’ve outlined, Cannabidiol, or CBD, has receptors throughout your body, called the endocannabinoid system. Human beings can supplement this CBD system to aid and strengthen the immune system and other functions. Just like you may take vitamin c from an orange to supplement your health, CBD intake improves your endocannabinoid system and overall health. The increasing prevalence of CBD oils for the management and treatment of various illnesses has inspired cannabis breeders to propagate certain strains. The goal of manufacturers is to yield hemp plants with higher CBD to THC ratios to minimize, if not, eliminate, the psychoactive side effects caused by THC. According to research, the best source of high-quality CBD derives from organically grown cannabis with up to 20% CBD concentration by dry weight.

(FYI, if you're concerned about whether or not Charlotte's Web is legal, their PR kindly sent me this statement: "Regarding legality, CW Hemp is compliant with U.S. law regarding the manufacture and sale of dietary or food supplements. Our products meet the EU standard of less than 0.2% THC to be regarded as hemp and we market our products as a food supplement and adhere to those labeling laws." Phew.)

Bonn-Miller also explained that it's imperative to exhaust the traditional and established front-line treatments that are available before seeking out these products. "CBD is not really a first-line treatment for anything," he said. "You don’t want situations where somebody says, 'I have cancer I'm going to forgo chemotherapy because I read something about CBD or THC helping with cancer.'" That's not a good idea, Bonn-Miller said. "Not only is the science not there, but you may end up worse off."
Bacon had said that I might need to try two full droppers worth of the oil to really feel its benefits. I knew that I had an incredibly busy and stressful day ahead of me—I needed to fit in a five mile run before work, had lots to do at the office, was scheduled for a busy event in the middle of the day, and had a 2-hour meditation class later that night which would require a lot of mental clarity. Tentatively, I squirted two droppers of CBD oil into my bulletproof coffee and sipped away.

Epidemiological studies of various neuropsychiatric disorders indicate that a higher CBD content in chronically consumed cannabis may protect against adverse effects of THC, including psychotic symptoms, drug cravings, memory loss, and hippocampal gray matter loss [115–118] (reviewed in [119]). As THC acutely induces anxiety, this pattern may also be evident for chronic anxiety symptoms. Two studies were identified, including an uncontrolled retrospective study in civilian patients with PTSD patients [120], and a case study in a patient with severe sexual abuse-related PTSD [121], which showed that chronic cannabis use significantly reduces PTSD symptoms; however, these studies did not include data on the THC:CBD ratio. Thus, overall, no outcome data are currently available regarding the chronic effects of CBD in the treatment of anxiety symptoms, nor do any data exist regarding the potential protective effects of CBD on anxiety potentially induced by chronic THC use.
Hey Linda. Thanks for your comment. I understand your frustration. Since you say you are taking Seroquel, I recommend checking with a doctor if you are mixing CBD with this and other medications. As far as dosage goes, always best to start low (0.5 mg to 20 mg of CBD) and then only add more if you need it and slowly increase your dose. A good guidebook I have been recommending lately which provides helpful information is called CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis–Healing without the High Check it out and let me know what you think and if you have more questions 🙂
Safety: As of current, there’s zero evidence to suggest that cannabidiol is unsafe and/or intolerable. While certain individuals may experience adverse effects from its administration, these adverse effects are not common and may be a result of: poor sourcing, formatting, addition of other unwanted chemicals or cannabinoids, or contamination. Most research indicates CBD is just as safe and well-tolerated as a placebo.
Overall, it’s important to look for CBD products that are lab tested. These tinctures may only be as good as they are potent and its important to trust the companies that you’re purchasing from. When shopping for CBD for sleep, make sure to see if the products have been tested by an independent third party lab for purity and potency. Did you read the label? Does the ingredients list agree with you? If you’re a person with a lot of anxiety, you might need a higher dose of CBD to help with your sleep. Double check the label to make sure that the CBD content is clearly outlined. Some labels will not distinguish between hemp extract and CBD content (there is a difference) so it’s important to make sure you understand the products you are purchasing. You can learn more about each of these products in their individual reviews.

Until 2017, products containing cannabidiol that are marketed for medical purposes were classed as medicines by the UK regulatory body, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and could not be marketed without regulatory approval for the medical claims.[82] CBD oil with THC content not exceeding 0.2% was legalized throughout the UK in 2017.[citation needed] Cannabis oil, however, remained illegal to possess, buy and sell.[83]

Having trouble sleeping? This Gold CBD Oil from Herbal Renewals could be just what you’re looking for. One of the world’s strongest and purest CBD concentrates, it’s available in three handy sizes. The concentrate is first absorbed sublingually (under your tongue), so you’ll start to feel its effects after ten to fifteen minutes. However, its thick consistency does mean it can take some time to absorb in your stomach. But when it does, it delivers a long-lasting and soothing calm—ideal for a good night’s rest.
As noted in the previous section, CBD oil prices vary significantly by brand. The best practice for most is to determine a per-milligram budget for CBD oil, as well as a maximum price for the entire bottle. For example, you might decide that 10 cents per milligram or less is a reasonable budget; and that $45 (for a 450-mg concentration, based on the budget) is a maximum bottle price. Also, if ordering online, be sure to include potential shipping costs.
Moreover, simple statistical data has been showing that CBD oil and anxiety is one of the most thoroughly searched topics on the internet, at least in terms of cannabis-related therapies and medical treatments. Specific searches on “CBD oil anxiety,” in fact, have increased exponentially over the last five years. This is modern proof that natural cannabis therapies are beginning to “see the light” in terms of widespread use, and indeed many countless thousands of individuals are already reaping the benefits of the hemp-based compound.
Runners pushing themselves daily might want to try more. Floyd’s of Leadville owner Bob Bell says that the company’s 50-milligram soft gels are its top seller. Talansky says his baseline is a 25-milligram gel, plus applying a strong topical cream three to five times a day if a specific body part is bothering him. He takes more on his hardest training days to speed recovery.
Long-term outcomes: There are zero long-term studies investigating the safety, efficacy, and long-term effects of CBD as a treatment for anxiety. Data from animal model studies suggests that chronic CBD usage could yield deleterious epigenetic and/or neuropsychiatric effects. However, it is unclear as to whether administration of CBD at a normative (non-chronic) frequency would maintain therapeutic efficacy over a long-term.
Research works have been pretty favorable in describing the role of CBD in improvisation of REM sleep phase. For example, in a study, it has been found that CBD is effective in regulating REM sleep alteration that is induced by anxiety in rats. It is important to mention here that anxiety is an important risk factor of insomnia. Moreover, CBD is also employed for fighting off with anxiety.

Combining the powerful properties of CBD with a unique mix of herbs and other all-natural ingredients, this Hemp Signature Blend from Bluebird Botanicals offers real and effective relief from the symptoms of inflammation. Designed to support your body and soothe your joints, this is CBD oil redefined. The fascinating inclusion of frankincense carteri, black cumin seed, cold-pressed oil, and rosemary extract marks this out as something special.

Many who take prescription medication for insomnia or other sleep-related issues complain of feeling lethargic, nauseated, distracted, and unable to focus - and that’s just some of the side-effects. Many of those who take prescription medication are also unable to operate vehicles or machinery, which can mean the loss of mobility and even the loss of income. But how do you find something that helps you maintain a decent sleep without all the horrible side-effects of prescription medication?
CBD E-Liquid/Vape Cartridges: Vaping is excellent for people looking for an immediate response, as inhalation is the fastest way to deliver CBDs to your brain and body. To use vape simply exhale gently the air from your lungs then inhale through the mouthpiece slowly for 3 seconds. Then fill your lungs the rest of the way with additional breath and hold for a few seconds, exhaling when ready. There are pre-filled, cost-effective vape pens and cartridges available as well as more expensive vaporizers that you can refill with CBD-infused e-liquid.
Stress is an important contributor to anxiety disorders, and traumatic stress exposure is essential to the development of PTSD. Systemically administered CBD reduced acute increases in heart rate and blood pressure induced by restraint stress, as well as the delayed (24 h) anxiogenic effects of stress in the EPM, partially by 5-HT1AR activation [67, 73]. However intra-BNST microinjection of CBD augmented stress-induced heart rate increase, also partially via 5-HT1AR activation [85]. In a subchronic study, CBD administered daily 1 h after predator stress (a proposed model of PTSD) reduced the long-lasting anxiogenic effects of chronic predator stress, partially via 5-HT1AR activation [77]. In a chronic study, systemic CBD prevented increased anxiety produced by chronic unpredictable stress, in addition to increasing hippocampal AEA; these anxiolytic effects depended upon CB1R activation and hippocampal neurogenesis, as demonstrated by genetic ablation techniques [81]. Prior stress also appears to modulate CBD’s anxiogenic effects: microinjection of CBD into the prelimbic cortex of unstressed animals was anxiogenic in the EPM but following restraint stress was found to be anxiolytic [87]. Likewise, systemic CBD was anxiolytic in the EPM following but not prior to stress [65].
The scientific evidence for CBD's ability to quell anxiety, dampen psychosis, and lift the mood is patchy at the moment, although the National Institute on Drug Abuse is optimistic: "CBD has shown therapeutic efficacy in a range of animal models of anxiety and stress, reducing both behavioral and physiological (e.g., heart rate) measures of stress and anxiety."

Although the 5-HT1A partial agonism exerted by CBD may not be an outright cure for anxiety, it is likely to help many individuals. Studies conducted on humans with panic disorder note impairments in 5-HT1A receptor function and poor 5-HT1A binding. The bottom line is that individuals with anxiety could have dysfunctional 5-HT1A activation and may resort to commercialized 5-HT1A partial agonists (e.g. Buspar) as treatments.

CBD has also been shown to enhance extinction of contextually conditioned fear responses. Extinction training involves repeated CS exposure in the absence of the US, leading to the formation of a new memory that inhibits fear responses and a decline in freezing over subsequent training sessions. Systemic CBD administration immediately before training markedly enhanced extinction, and this effect depended on CB1R activation, without involvement of TRPV1 receptors [65]. Further studies showed CB1Rs in the infralimbic cortex may be involved in this effect [82].

Evidence indicates that CBD is an effective intervention for neuropsychiatric anxiety disorders such as: generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, PTSD, and OCD. Researchers believe that its anxiolytic effects are principally a result of its affinity for 5-HT1A and CB1 receptors. While further research is warranted regarding long-term use of CBD oil for anxiety, authors note that it does not increase anxiety, has minimal sedation, and is extremely safe when used over a short-term.

Hey Dave. I just noticed that as well. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Most of the information I’ve read on using CBD for sleep generally says that “higher” doses work best for sleep and insomnia. The Mayo Clinic’s site use to say to try a dose from 40 – 160 mg of CBD. This range is indeed higher than a typical serving size of CBD, which is more in the range of 10 – 20 mg. Let me know if you have any questions please.
While normally I'd be slightly tripped up by little things like an overly crowded subway car or a full inbox at work, the CBD oil seems to have taken the edge off of my anxiety a bit. Rather than overthinking a sternly worded email or analyzing a social interaction, I've found it easier to recognize the irrationality of these thoughts and actually let them go (instead of ruminating on the situation). In some ways, I feel more like myself. With that said, I've still experienced some social anxiety when meeting new groups of people—I'd be interested to see what taking the full recommended dose would do.
I found I was too groggy during work hours if, on a typical day, I took CBD in the morning and at night. A dose of 25 milligrams an hour before going to bed, plus occasional topical use, has become my norm. The main exception is after an especially long or hard weekend run, when I have an additional 25 milligrams if I’m planning to mostly lounge about the house.
McGuire doesn’t advise buying CBD products. You need to differentiate, he says, between the extremely high doses of pharmaceutical-grade pure CBD that participants in the handful of successful studies were given and the dietary supplements available over the counter or online. “These may contain quite small amounts of CBD that might not have large enough concentrations to have any effects,” he says. “It’s the difference between a nutraceutical and a pharmaceutical.” These supplements aren’t allowed to make claims of any effects. “If you’re making creams or sports drinks with CBD, you can say anything you like as long as you don’t say it will do such and such,” he says.

Affiliate Disclosure: There are links on this site that can be defined as affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you purchase something when clicking on the links that take you through to a different website. By clicking on the links, you are in no way obligated to buy.

Medical Disclaimer: Statements in any video or written content on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product. Representations regarding the efficacy and safety of CBD oil have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA only evaluates foods and drugs, not supplements like these products. These products are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease. The material on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician before beginning any supplement program.